crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən 

: any of a large class (Crustacea) of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimp, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles

crustacean adjective

Examples of crustacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arthropods are invertebrate animals that today include insects, spiders, crustaceans, centipedes and millipedes—and Lomankus edgecombei belonged to an extinct subgroup of these creatures called megacheirans. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

The deep-water species belongs to a group of animals known as arthropods—an incredibly diverse group of invertebrates with jointed limbs and a hard shell known as an exoskeleton, which includes arachnids, insects and crustaceans, as well as extinct animals like trilobites. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Burrows are also known among birds, crustaceans, centipedes and millipedes, and certain vertebrates like alligators and lizards. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Atlantic cownose rays possess tile-like teeth ideal for crushing crustaceans, mollusks, small invertebrates, and bony fish. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən 

: any of a large class of mostly water-dwelling arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles) having an exoskeleton of chitin or chitin and a compound of calcium

crustacean adjective